In a world where werewolves are forced to live in secret, 28-year-old August "Augie" Rodriguez, a former Marine turned werewolf hunter, is hired to track down a rogue alpha. But when Augie's prey turns out to be his estranged brother, thought to be dead, he must confront his troubled past and the true nature of his family's curse.
Augie Rodriguez stepped out of the rain-soaked night and into the dimly lit bar, the neon signs outside casting a gaudy glow on the wet pavement. He scanned the room, his eyes adjusting to the smoky atmosphere, and spotted his contact in the corner, nursing a whiskey on the rocks.
Augie made his way through the crowd, his movements fluid and deliberate, earning a few curious glances from the patrons. He was a tall, imposing figure, with sharp features and piercing green eyes that seemed to bore into those he met. His dark hair was cropped short, revealing a scar above his left eyebrow, a souvenir from a past encounter.
The contact, a scrawny man named Vinnie, looked up and nodded curtly as Augie approached. "Augie, thanks for coming," Vinnie said, his voice laced with a nervous twitch.
Augie slid into the booth, his eyes locked on Vinnie. "What's the job?" he asked, his deep voice firm and commanding.
Vinnie hesitated, glancing around the bar before leaning in closer. "We got a rogue alpha on our hands, Augie. Been terrorizing the countryside, leaving a trail of bodies in its wake."
Augie's expression turned grim. "What makes you think I'm the right man for the job?"
Vinnie shrugged. "You're the best hunter we've got, Augie. And this one...this one's different. It's like nothing we've ever seen before."
Augie raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"
Vinnie leaned in closer, his voice barely above a whisper. "It's like it's toying with us, Augie. Leaving clues, taunting us. And the bodies...they're not just killed, they're mutilated. Like it's trying to send a message."
Augie's grip on his glass tightened, his mind racing with the implications. He had dealt with rogue werewolves before, but this sounded different. This sounded personal.
"I'm in," Augie said finally, his voice firm. "When do I start?"
Vinnie nodded, relief etched on his face. "I'll give you the details. Meet me at the old warehouse on 5th and Main at midnight."
Augie nodded, downing his whiskey in one swift motion. He knew what he was getting himself into. He knew the risks. But he also knew he couldn't walk away. Not from this. Not from the thrill of the hunt.
Augie stepped out of the bar, the cool night air a welcome respite from the smoky atmosphere. He lit a cigarette, taking a long drag as he gazed out into the darkness. The rain had let up, leaving behind a misty veil that shrouded the city.
He thought back to Vinnie's words, the image of the mutilated bodies etched in his mind. He had seen some gruesome things in his line of work, but this sounded different. This sounded calculated.
Augie's phone buzzed in his pocket, breaking the spell. He answered, listening intently to Vinnie's voice on the other end.
"Augie, I'm sending you the details now. Be careful, this one's got everyone spooked."
Augie nodded, even though Vinnie couldn't see him. "Got it."
He hung up, pulling out his phone to scan the files Vinnie had sent. The photos showed a trail of destruction, bodies torn apart with surgical precision. Augie's gut told him this was more than just a rogue alpha - this was something sinister.
The files also included a location, a small town a few hours outside the city. Augie memorized the details, his mind already racing with strategies.
He arrived at the warehouse just before midnight, the building looming above him like a specter. Vinnie was already there, pacing nervously in the shadows.
"Augie, I'm glad you're here," Vinnie said, his voice tight with anxiety. "We need to get this done quickly, before it's too late."
Augie nodded, his eyes scanning the area. "What's the plan?"
Vinnie handed him a folder filled with more photos and notes. "The alpha's been spotted in the vicinity of the old mill on the outskirts of town. We think it's hiding there."
Augie's grip on the folder tightened. "Let's get moving."
The drive to the town was silent, the only sound the soft hum of the engine. Augie's mind was focused on the task ahead, his senses on high alert.
They arrived at the mill just before dawn, the sky lightening in the east. Augie could feel it, a presence lurking just out of sight.
He motioned to Vinnie, who nodded and fell back, giving Augie the lead. Augie crept forward, his gun at the ready, his heart pounding in his chest.
The mill loomed before him, its windows shattered, the door hanging off its hinges. Augie approached cautiously, his senses on high alert.
And then, he saw it. A figure, tall and imposing, standing in the center of the room. Its eyes locked onto Augie, and for a moment, they just stared at each other.
Augie's finger tightened on the trigger, but he hesitated. There was something in the alpha's eyes, something that gave him pause.
The alpha took a step forward, its movements fluid and deliberate. Augie could feel its power, its dominance.
And then, just as suddenly, it vanished. Augie was left standing there, his gun still raised, his heart pounding in his chest.
He knew, in that moment, that this was far from over.
Augie lowered his gun, his eyes scanning the room for any sign of the alpha. But it was gone, vanished into thin air. He cursed under his breath, his mind racing with possibilities.
Vinnie emerged from the shadows, his eyes wide with excitement. "What happened?" he whispered.
Augie shook his head. "It was here, and then it just disappeared."
Vinnie's face fell. "We need to get out of here, now."
Augie nodded, tucking his gun into his holster. "Let's move."
They made their way back to the car, their senses on high alert. Augie couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched, that the alpha was still out there, waiting for them.
The drive back to the city was tense, the silence between them thick with unspoken questions. Augie's mind was racing, trying to piece together what had just happened.
When they arrived at the warehouse, Vinnie turned to him, his eyes serious. "Augie, we need to talk."
Augie nodded, following Vinnie into the warehouse. The air was thick with the smell of smoke and sweat.
Vinnie stopped in front of him, his hands on his hips. "Augie, I know you're the best hunter we've got, but this...this is different. This alpha is smart, calculated. It's not just a mindless beast."
Augie's expression turned grim. "I know."
Vinnie hesitated. "I think we're in over our heads, Augie. I think we should call in backup."
Augie's jaw clenched. "No."
Vinnie's eyes widened. "Augie, listen to me..."
Augie's hand shot up, silencing him. "No, Vinnie. I've got this."
Vinnie's face fell, but he nodded. "Okay, Augie. But be careful."
Augie nodded, turning to leave. "I will."
The rest of the day was a blur, Augie's mind consumed by thoughts of the alpha. He knew he had to be careful, that this was no ordinary werewolf.
He spent hours poring over the files, looking for any clue that might lead him to the alpha. And then, just as he was about to give up, he saw it - a small detail that had escaped him before.
A symbol, etched into the wall of the mill. A symbol that looked eerily familiar.
Augie's heart raced as he realized the truth. This wasn't just a rogue alpha - this was something much bigger.
He knew he had to act fast, to get to the bottom of this before it was too late. And so, with a newfound sense of determination, Augie set out to track down the alpha, ready for whatever lay ahead.
The symbol haunted Augie's dreams, its twisted curves and lines etched into his mind like a branding iron. He woke up in a cold sweat, his heart racing with a mix of fear and anticipation.
He knew he had to move fast, to uncover the truth behind the symbol and the alpha's true intentions. Augie threw off the covers and got out of bed, his mind already racing with possibilities.
He arrived at the warehouse just as Vinnie was setting up for the day. "Augie, what's going on?" Vinnie asked, noticing the look of determination on Augie's face.
Augie showed him the symbol, his finger tracing the curves. "This is the key, Vinnie. This is what's been missing."
Vinnie's eyes widened. "Where did you find it?"
Augie hesitated. "The mill. It was etched into the wall."
Vinnie's face went pale. "Augie, we need to be careful. This symbol...it's not just any symbol."
Augie's grip on the paper tightened. "What do you mean?"
Vinnie glanced around nervously. "Let's just say it's connected to some pretty dark stuff. Stuff we don't want to mess with."
Augie's jaw clenched. "I don't care about that. I care about stopping the alpha."
Vinnie nodded. "Okay, Augie. But be careful. We're playing with fire here."
The rest of the day was a blur of research and investigation, Augie and Vinnie following every lead, every hint that might bring them closer to the truth.
And then, just as the sun was setting, they got their break. A call from an anonymous source, hinting at a location, a place where the alpha might be hiding.
Augie's heart raced as he grabbed his gun, his mind focused on the task ahead. "Let's move," he said, his voice firm and commanding.
Vinnie nodded, following close behind. They arrived at the location, an abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of town, and Augie knew they were close.
He could feel it, a presence lurking just out of sight. Augie's grip on his gun tightened, his senses on high alert.
And then, they saw it. The alpha, standing in the center of the room, its eyes fixed on Augie with a malevolent glare.
Augie's finger tightened on the trigger, his heart pounding in his chest. He knew this was it, the moment of truth.
But just as he was about to fire, the alpha spoke, its voice low and menacing. "Augie Rodriguez," it said. "I've been waiting for you."
Isla has spent her entire life waiting for the moment she would find her mate, believing in the fairy tales of fate and eternal love. But when her mate, Alpha Asher Nightshade, rejects her on the night of their fated union, Isla's world shatters. Deemed too "ordinary" for the powerful and ambitious Alpha, she is cast out of the Shadowfang Pack. Fate, however, has other plans. Years later, Isla has rebuilt herself, finding strength and purpose among a rogue pack that values her for who she is. But when Asher's pack is threatened by an ancient curse, he seeks her out, desperate for her unique gift to commune with the spirits of the forest. Thrown back into each other's lives, Isla and Asher must confront the wounds of the past while facing a dangerous future. Will Asher prove he is worthy of a second chance, or will Isla find a love even greater than the bond that once broke her?
In a world where family ties bind with unbreakable chains, Zara and Damon are caught in a web of loyalty, blood feuds, and forbidden love. The moment their eyes meet, sparks ignite, but their families have been enemies for generations. Zara, the daughter of a powerful crime lord, is promised to a man she does not love, while Damon is the heir to the rival family who killed her brother. As their paths intertwine, the heat of their passion becomes the ultimate betrayal, and every stolen moment could cost them everything. In a world of vengeance and sacrifice, can love survive the storm?
In a world shattered by a catastrophic disaster, Jillian and Tom are among the last survivors, bound together by a shared will to survive and the budding, undeniable bond between them. As they traverse the wreckage of civilization, scavenging for supplies and navigating the horrors of a world stripped of life, they find comfort in each other's presence. But as the days slip by, they must confront the question: Can love bloom in the midst of darkness and death? Amidst campfires, fleeting moments of joy, and the harsh reality of their new world, Jillian and Tom face not only the danger of the outside world but also the fear of losing each other. Will their connection be enough to overcome the shadows that threaten to consume them?
When billionaire Cameron Reed needs a wife to secure his family's business empire, he turns to beautiful lawyer Aurora "Rory" Wellesley. Their contract marriage promises a hefty payout, but as they navigate the complexities of their agreement, they must confront their growing feelings and the secrets threatening to tear them apart. Will their love be worth the risk, or will their bargain destroy everything?
Emerson Grant, a successful event planner, returns to her hometown after a painful divorce. She butts heads with her new neighbor, former NFL star Caleb Mitchell, who's hiding a secret. As they work together to restore the town's iconic lighthouse, their initial animosity turns into a fiery attraction. But will their pasts and fears extinguish the flames of love or will they find their forever?
Wealthy businessman Ryder Thompson inherits a struggling vineyard in Tuscany, he sees an opportunity to turn his life around. But what he doesn't expect is to fall for the vineyard's beautiful and fiercely independent manager, Sophia De Luca. As they work together to restore the vineyard to its former glory, Ryder and Sophia must navigate their own complicated pasts and confront the secrets that threaten to tear them apart. Will their love be enough to overcome the challenges that lie ahead?
Janice, the long-forgotten legitimate heiress, made her way back to her family, pouring her heart into winning their hearts. Yet, she had to relinquish her very identity, her academic credentials, and her creative works to her foster sister. In return for her sacrifices, she found no warmth, only deeper neglect. Resolute, Janice vowed to cut off all emotional bonds. Transformed, she now stood as a master of martial arts, adept in eight languages, an esteemed medical expert, and a celebrated designer. With newfound resolve, she declared, "From this day forward, no one in this family shall cross me."
"There will be no falling in love, we will only act as a loving couple when we are in public, we will share a room to make it believable, but no intimacy, touching is off-limits. We'll only have sex once a month, and that's solely to produce an heir. You won't interfere in my business, and I won't interfere in yours. You will be my wife in every sense and you will not be involved with any other man," he said, arrogance seeping from every word. I watch his mouth move, I'm not ready to fall in love with any man, especially not one as arrogant and egoistic as him. I can handle acting as a loving couple, and as for intimacy once a month. I can agree to that just to satisfy my sexual cravings with no strings attached. "Where can I sign?" I asked since I had nothing to lose. *** Nadine's wedding dreams turned to nightmares when she caught her sister and fiancé cheating! With a secret recording, she's ready for revenge. But then mysterious billionaire Logan West offers a deal: A Contract Marriage to take down her ex's empire. But what Nadine doesn't know is her life is getting complicated as she takes her chance to get revenge or risks everything for a chance at love?"
Iris grew from an orphaned child to the adopted daughter of the Stewart family at age ten, finding warmth in her nominal uncle Vincent's kindness. Seven years later, she became his secret lover. When Vincent's engagement was announced, gossip spread about the notorious playboy CEO finally settling down. But only Iris knew the extent of his cold, two-faced nature. Iris fell for Vincent and, through tears, begged, "Marry me," only to be met with his frosty refusal. Defeated, she accepted a lawyer's proposal, sparking public excitement. Then, on her wedding day, Vincent pleaded desperately, "Don't marry him…"
"You're a creepy bastard." His eyes smolder me and his answering grin is nothing short of beautiful. Deadly. "Yet you hunger for me. Tell me, this appetite of yours, does it always tend toward 'creepy bastards'?" **** Widower and ex-boss to the Mafia, Zefiro Della Rocca, has an unhealthy fixation on the woman nextdoor. It began as a coincidence, growing into mere curiosity, and soon, it was an itch he couldn't ignore, like a quick fix of crack for an addict. He didn't know her name, but he knew every inch of her skin, how it flushed when she climaxed, her favourite novel and that every night she contemplated suicide. He didn't want to care, despising his rapt fascination of the woman. She was in love with her abusive husband. She was married, bound by a contract to the Bratva's hitman. She was off-limits. But when Zefiro wanted something, it was with an intensity that bordered on madness. He obsessed, possessed, owned. There'd be bloodshed if he touched her, but the sight of blood always did fascinate him. * When Susanna flees from her husband, she stumbles right into the arms of her devilishly handsome neighbour with a brooding glare. He couldn't stand her, but she needed him, if she was ever going to escape her husband who now wanted her dead. Better the devil you know than the angel you don't. She should have recalled that before hopping into Zefiro's car and letting him whisk her away to Italy. Maybe then, she wouldn't have started an affair with him. He was the only man who touched her right, and the crazy man took no small pains in ensuring he would be the last.
The dream of everyone with regards to marriage is to be able to find that special someone and settle down with them. Even arranged marriages grant you an opportunity to meet your partner briefly before the wedding. How will you feel about waking up in the morning with someone sleeping next to you who is not just anyone but your legally married partner yet with no memory of how that had happened in just a few hours of going out the previous day? This is the story of Jason Haward and Julia Harrison, two strangers trapped in a marriage they never planned. The quest to find out why led to the unfolding of a mystery which made them realize they are both living a lie. To find out more, read this amazing story of love, betrayal, revenge and murder.
"I want a divorce!" Ryan demanded, despite the fact that he had cheated on her with his ex. ~ Serena is no longer the quiet, romantic lady Ryan Winters married and divorced five years ago. Now the CEO of Rocky's Designs, she is bright, unwavering, and unapologetic about her independence-a far cry from the woman Ryan remembers. When fate brings them back into one another's lives, Ryan is forced to confront the truth about their past, their newfound hot chemistry, and a surprising revelation; Serena has a daughter who may be his. But Ryan's girlfriend, Kate, isn't prepared to lose him again. She will do whatever it takes to keep Ryan in her grasp-even if it means destroying Serena's life and the corporate empire she has built. What happens when Serena's now peaceful life is being disrupted? Will Serena lose once again or will she seize this billionaire's heart?